Who we are & what we do

YMCA West London is a part of the world’s largest and oldest youth charity, YMCA.

We help young people at all stages of their lives. Many of these are in need of housing, emotional support, practical guidance and positive, purposeful activity.

We understand the specific needs of the local areas we work in and provide homes, childcare, help with parenting, classes for children and after-school clubs.

What do we do?

We’re a lifeline for young people in crisis

If you’re a young person with no home, no job and no skills, you feel no hope. You need stability, you need someone who understands, and you need opportunities.

You need a break.

Every night, we give more than 400 young people like this a safe place to live with YMCA West London . Most are aged between 16 and 25 and have been forced to leave their family home for one of a multitude of reasons. Some have just left the care of foster parents or local authorities, or are asylum seekers.

We bring out the best

Shelter is not enough on its own. Our staff work closely with our young people to set and reach goals. We help them get counselling, learn life skills such as budgeting and cooking, and find jobs, college courses or training.

We hear repeatedly that it’s the relationships we develop with our young people that have the biggest impact in their lives.

We make young people active and involved

Young people living in our accommodation or neighbourhoods come to our after-school clubs and drop-in centres – safe places to just ‘hang out’. Again, our specially trained staff get to know them and are there to listen without judgement and offer advice.

We also run activity classes and a nursery for younger children from all backgrounds. Parents pay for these, which helps fund our work with the most disadvantaged young people involved in our other projects.

Our focus is giving the right kind of space and support for young people to improve their emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing.